ThinkBusiness.ie, powered by Bank of Ireland, has been created for Irish business owners and managers who are seeking information, resources and help on a range of business topics. It provides practical, actionable information and guidance on starting, growing and running a business. It offers guides, tools, templates, checklists and a wealth of other content tailored to meet the needs of Irish business owners and managers. It also showcases case studies, with insights, tips and advice from ...
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With the 2024 Ploughing Championships about to welcome more than 300,000 people and 1,700 exhibitors, Bank of Ireland’s head of Agriculture Sector Eoin Lowry talks about the history of this iconic event and how it is at the crossroads of the sustainable future of farming. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs …
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Caitriona Considine swapped the corporate world to transform an old cowshed near the cliffs of Moher into a thriving gift and coffee shop with the mission for Moher Cottage to be the best little shop in Ireland. The former engineer talks about swapping the long commutes for entrepreneurship and running a business sustainably on one of Ireland’s bus…
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The 2023 Project Management Professional of the Year James Louttit has recently published a book about how to lead impactful teams. James talks about his journey to overcome burnout and explains how even well-prepared, hard-working intelligent people can feel the strain of project management. He has authored a new book that provides tips and techni…
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We talk to John Clancy, the founder and CEO of Galvia, an AI-powered decision intelligence platform that draws actionable insights from enterprise data. Since 2017 Galvia (formerly known as Chatspace) has been working with some of the World’s largest companies including Nestlé, Medtronic and Atos. As a serial entrepreneur John is continually identi…
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With more than 7.2m lives looked after, Irish business Spectrum.Life is one of Europe’s fastest growing digital health providers and is targeting revenues of €100m by 2028. We talk to CEO Stephen Costello about the company’s growth plans and opportunities in the global healthcare market. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for sta…
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Change isn’t easy for anyone, but in business it is even harder. Shane Twomey from Phoenix HR has built a business around helping organisations go through the business of change and transformation. He talks about how businesses can get their people and teams aligned around new ways of working. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports f…
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Laura Dillon, selected in May as The Irish Times Business Person of the Month in association with Bank of Ireland, recently made its fifth biggest investment in Ireland with the acquisition of a stake in Bellew Electrical. The private equity player has now partnered with more than 20 Irish businesses in the last three years, adding 1,000 roles to t…
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Hrvoje Smolic and Vinnie Lynch, the founders of Kerry-based tech firm Graphite-Note talk about the chemistry that made them realise they could build a global AI-based business from regional Ireland. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.…
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Cork native Alan Coughlan’s Lansil Global is creating 30 jobs in the US after opening a new warehouse in Pennsylvania. Now based in Dubai, he talks about how he want from teaching English in China to establishing his global logistics business. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to st…
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Waterford-headquartered branding agency TOTEM recently achieved international acclaim and is set to double the size of its team. Founder Colin Byrne talks about the business of branding and creating a scaling, internationally-focused business. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to st…
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Since the age of 11, Andrew Casey and Olaf O’Moore have been in rock bands and in business, running ventures that include EcoCabs, bike brand FunkedUp and ad and marketing agency Headcase. Casey talks about how creativity and friendship hold the key to their bond. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Irela…
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Bank of Ireland’s NYC Hub has become a vital destination for Irish businesses targeting North America as well as a vital social networking venue for the Irish business community in New York. We talk to US country manager Tony Dunne and the NYC Hub’s coordinator Tania Sheik about the Bank’s 50-year history in the United States and what the future ho…
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In part 2 of our series on auto-enrolment, as mandatory auto-enrolment for pensions looms closer to becoming a reality in Ireland, Mark O’Connor and Bobby McDonnell from Bank of Ireland discuss what employers need to do to make pensions more attractive for their staff. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in …
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The journey to sustainability is not easy. And with new technologies ranging from artificial intelligence to robotics emerging all the time, how do business owners choose the right technologies to help them on their green journey. We talk to Paul Swift, head of Technology, Media and Telecoms at Bank of Ireland about how to avoid being overwhelmed. …
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Irish food producers are rightly optimistic about their future prospects and are investing in their future as the shopping public focus on quality and sustainable produce. Lucy Ryan, head of Food & Drink at Bank of Ireland, talks about the results of the latest Love Irish Food survey. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-…
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By 2030 Bank of Ireland aims to reach €30bn in sustainable finance lending. The key to this is a sustainable finance framework. We talk to Colette Shirley, director of Sustainability at Bank of Ireland about the Bank’s sustainability strategy and what this means for the future of banking. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for st…
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As every employer in Ireland ought to know, auto-enrolment is coming. We talk to Mark O’Connor, Head of Corporate Pensions and Bobbie McDonnell, Corporate Pensions and Risk Manager, at Bank of Ireland, about what employers need to do to prepare for when auto-enrolment comes into force. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start…
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We talk to Brian Roe, CEO of data centre giant Servecentric. He talks about his career in tech, which began with selling Apple hardware for Typetec, to today where he is overseeing the industry’s move to the cloud and the onset of AI in the European business world. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Irel…
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We talk to trailblazing Donegal entrepreneur Amanda Torrens about her journey from building a successful nationwide nursing home business and selling it, to her decision come out of retirement in order to acquire Barberstown Castle and her vision to transform it into a community-centred venue. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports f…
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We talk to tech entrepreneur Cuty Gupta of Cozmotec about how businesses should go about utilising artificial intelligence. She talks about the road that led to her establishing a tech business in Ireland and her plans for international growth. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to s…
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We talk to Brian O’Rourke, co-founder of Galway-headquartered CitySwift, about the young business’s role in transforming public transport and its international growth plans. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business, ThinkBusiness.…
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We talk to Bank of Ireland’s head of Health Sector Grainne Henson about the healthcare sector in Ireland, the importance of the nursing home business and how the sector is modernising to meet future needs, including sustainability. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow…
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The recent spell of prolonged wet weather has had a serious impact on Irish farmers’ cashflow. We talk to Bank of Ireland’s head of Agri Eoin Lowry about his advice for farmers and the various supports available to them. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow a business…
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In almost every large town in Ireland there are now enterprise hubs that support both remote working and start-up activity, forming the cornerstone for job creation around the country. We talk to Siobhan Finn, CEO of the Community Enterprise Association of Ireland about the opportunities and challenges that the national hub network faces. Visit www…
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Guaranteed Irish, Ireland’s national symbol of trust was launched in 1974 and is celebrating its 50-year anniversary this year. We talk to CEO Brid O’Connell about how the not for profit supports a network of businesses from indigenous to locally based global leaders throughout the country and her vision for the next 50 years. Visit www.thinkbusine…
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From Cartoon Saloon to Brown Bag Films, Shinawil and Jam Media and many others, Ireland’s animation sector is forecast to reach more than €6bn in the coming years, creating thousands of potential jobs. Ahead of the Animation Dingle event on 22 March, we speak to the festival’s co-founder Maurice Galway and Paul Swift, head of Tech, Media and Teleco…
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Locally born in Wexford, but globally successful e-commerce player Scurri has revealed that 40 new jobs are to be created at its new state-of-the-art European headquarters in the town. We talk to founder Rory O’Connor about how he succeeded in building a platform that processes more than €10bn worth of shipments a year. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie f…
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Entrepreneur Jack Murray took a 20 th century media directory business and has repurposed it to become a 21 st century digital media machine. He talks about his entrepreneurial journey and his global vision for the Dublin business. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want to start and grow…
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Sold-out and with 20,000 attendees all vying to learn about or to buy electric vehicles, the Electric Vehicle Show in Dublin was a total success. We talk to the event’s organisers, members of the public, dealers and manufacturers about what’s happening in this space. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ir…
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ThinkBusiness talks to Fergus Sheil and Aoife Daly about how in just five years, Irish National Opera has become an award-winning success story in the competitive arts and entertainment sector. Despite challenges, they're moving beyond traditional perceptions of opera, reaching out to engage with youngsters through innovative themes, venues, and te…
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ThinkBusiness talks to Conor McGarry from Rentdodo, the Irish proptech company behind TenantCert, a new digital verification system that aims to increase security for tenants, landlords and property managers by eliminating scams and fake profiles. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want t…
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If you think the wave of fintech and banking innovation that followed in the wake of the PSD2 directive was ground-breaking, the next iteration PSD3 promises even more. Lawrence Vesey from Sia Partners talks about the potential for game-changing developments and nurturing market competition and innovation in the wake of PSD3. Visit www.thinkbusines…
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ThinkBusiness talks to Derek Reilly from electric vehicle platform Nevo and Derek McDermott from Bank of Ireland Finance about the upcoming Electric Vehicle Show in Dublin on the 17th of February. We discuss where electric vehicle technology is heading, why concerns over EV charging infrastructure will soon in the back mirror and how Ireland is emb…
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ThinkBusiness catches up with Ashley Shak, head of Sustainability and Programmes at Dogpatch Labs, about how its 2050 Accelerator programme is playing a crucial role in combating the climate crisis by enabling start-ups to collaborate on climate-focused initiatives and positioning Ireland as a global testbed for innovation. Visit www.thinkbusiness.…
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With a career spanning over four decades, Storm Technology founder Karl Flannery has not only made an unforgettable mark as an Irish tech entrepreneur but has also played a pivotal role in shaping Ireland's technology sector. He talks about his career and the future of the sector. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups …
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On 1 February Ireland’s Deposit Return scheme for cans and plastic bottles goes live and consumers can return containers to supermarkets across Ireland in return for their deposit. ThinkBusiness talks to the CEO of Re-turn Ciaran Foley about the new scheme and the impact it will make on Ireland’s recycling efforts. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for mo…
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I talk to the CEO of Kilkenny Design Evelyn Moynihan about the retail group’s recent investments and growth after the business revealed a new e-commerce platform to coincide with its 60th anniversary. She talks about how digital trends and physical retail go hand-in-hand. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs …
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I chat with the founder of Dublin-based Zick Learn Matteo Penzo about the growing popularity of the four day week in the working world. We also ask him about his decision to locate his company in Dublin. Zick Learn recently raises half a million euros and revealed plans to double its workforce in Dublin. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and…
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I talk with Richard Watson, managing partner of Furthr VC, one of the most active early stage venture capital investors in Ireland, about the current investment trends in Ireland’s entrepreneurial landscape. He explains that Furthr VC doesn't just cut cheques. Instead, they join forces with bold start up teams shaping tomorrow's Irish tech leaders.…
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At this year's Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards in Dingle, ThinkBusiness met Blas na hÉireann's founder Artie Clifford, food writer Trevis Gleason, head of Food & Drink at Bank of Ireland Lucy Ryan along with food entrepreneurs from Art of Grate Food, Velo, St Tola and Crust & Crumb to discover Ireland's food and drink renaissance first-hand. V…
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ThinkBusiness editor John Kennedy met with entrepreneurs and farmers all focused on Sustainability at The Ploughing Championships 2023. These included Bank of Ireland head of Agri Eoin Lowry, IFA presidential contender Francis Gorman, entrepreneur Liam Woulfe, innovators Paul Kennedy, Deirdre Wall and Claire Lewis and farmer Phil Gleeson. Visit www…
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President of Midleton Chamber of Commerce and recent winner of the Network Cork Established Businesswoman of the Year, Adrianna Hegarty talks about cutting her teeth in the super-competitive property scene in LA before returning to Ireland to run her successful business Hegarty Property. She talks about the Irish property market, how SMEs should be…
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David Broderick, director of the Small Firms Association, warns that Irish SMEs are facing a tsunami of regulations and laws that while well-meaning are presenting a range of difficulties for SMEs in an already trying economic environment. He talks about what these incoming laws mean for SMEs and warns a one size fits all approach does not work whe…
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David Broderick, director of the Small Firms Association, warns that Irish SMEs are facing a tsunami of regulations and laws that while well-meaning are presenting a range of difficulties for SMEs in an already trying economic environment. He talks about what these incoming laws mean for SMEs and warns a one size fits all approach does not work whe…
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Every year start-ups take part in the INVENT competition at Catalyst in Belfast, supported by Bank of Ireland. During a recent investor day we caught up with some of these businesses to get a sense of the innovation and opportunity being fostered in Northern Ireland. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ir…
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Workday vice-president Chandler Morse is an expert in AI policy and ethics. He talks to the ThinkBusiness Podcast about the company’s rapid expansion in Ireland and addresses how AI and automation will work when it comes to HR and people management. Visit www.thinkbusiness.ie for more news and supports for start-ups and SMEs in Ireland. If you want…
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Award-winning project management expert James Louttit was at the top of his game in Irish blue chip businesses when he suffered from burnout. This experience led him to seek out a better way to work and live and has inspired his career ever since. The Impactful PM founder talks about leadership and creating a positive work culture. Visit www.thinkb…
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Ireland is underspending on innovation and we need to significantly increase our investment to meet the challenges and opportunities of sustainability and digitalisation. That’s the view of IRDG CEO Dermot Casey who says it is vital we support innovative SMEs to create the next generation of businesses like Kingspan and Fexco. Visit www.thinkbusine…
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Following Brexit, it is fair to say that France is now our nearest EU neighbour. Aine Murray, head of marketing at Veolia Ireland also happens to be the president of the France Ireland Chamber of Commerce. She talks about the centuries of history of trade between Ireland and France and the multi-billion euro opportunities that await Irish SMEs trad…
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In 2018 brothers Brian and James Cotter founded Sisu Clinic with serial entrepreneur Pat Phelan. In this interview, Brian Cotter talks about taking the world of medicine into the world of business to establish an aesthetic clinic that has grown beyond Cork and Ireland to the US and the UK and his own journey as an entrepreneur. Visit www.thinkbusin…
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